On the weekend of August 2-3, 2003, five separate churches in the southern district of Galle, Sri Lanka were attacked by mobs led by Buddhist monks. In Rathgama, ten monks attacked the Methodist Church, burning the church pews and benches and beating two church workers. On the same day, the pastor of the Assembly of God church in Thanamalwila was assaulted by a group of Buddhist monks. Pastor Ranjith of the Assembly of God church in Lunugamwhehra was also attacked by a mob led by ten Buddhist priests that afternoon. His sister who tried to protect him was also beaten. That same weekend, homes of Christians in Ganemulla were vandalized and a mob led by Buddhist monks attacked the Calvary Church in Hikkaduwa. The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka believes that it is very likely that this spate of organized attacks is the beginning of an attempt to incite Buddhists against the Christian community, creating an environment of religious disharmony which in turn will be sited as a convincing platform to launch an impending anti-conversion bill.
The October edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter will feature a report on the persecution facing Christians in Sri Lanka. To subscribe, go to https://www.vomcanada.com/nlonline.htm. Please remember to pray for Christians in Sri Lanka as they face increasing hostility in rural areas. Pray that the Sri Lankan government will resist pressure to pass anti-conversion legislation. The Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka is asking that we "please pray for the believers and the Christian leadership in Sri Lanka at this time of great need."
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